Invalid or overbed table and the like



Aug; 12, 1941. F. R. STEARNS INVALID OR OVERBED TABLE AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Shqet 1 1N VENTOR.

B gzf fl 4227 ATTORNEY$ Aug. 12, 1941. .F. R. STEARNS INVALID OR OVERBED TABLE AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet? IgV/ENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1941 INVALID OR OVERBED TABLE AND THE LIKE Freeman R. Stearns, Ludington, Mich, assigncr to Carrom Industries, Inc., Ludington, Mich, a

corporation of Michigan Application October 20, 1939, Serial No.'3ll0,320

8 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a table of the overbed type having a manually adjustable section which can be easily adjusted to a forwardly inclined position or to an inverted position.

Second, to provide a structure having these advantages in which the adjustment is accomplished merely byrotative manipulation of a rod or shaft.

Third, toprovide an adjustable top structure which may be adjusted with a minimum of danger or likelihood of the person effecting the adjustment being injured.

Fourth, to provide a structure having these advantages which is simple and rigid in construction and at the same time quite economical.

Further objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective View of a table commonlj designated as an overbed table embodying thefeatures of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the structure of Fig. 1 with the adjustable top section adjusted to a forwardly inclined position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with the adjustable top section adjusted to a forwardly inclined position.

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary section on a line corresponding to line 3--3 of Fig. 1 with the top section in partially reversed position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the adjusting sleeve or sleeve-like nut member. 7

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section showing a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing still another modification of my invention.

The overbed table embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises pedestal base members I having uprights 2 thereon. Coacting with the uprights are vertically adjustable upright members 3 carrying the bed or frame 4 of the table. The means for adjusting the members 3 on the members 2 are not illustrated further than the cranks 5 as this adjusting mechanism forms no part of my present invention.

The table is provided with Spaced relatively fixed top sections 6 and with an intermediate adjustable top section or panel I which in its collapsed position lies flush with the section 6 to provide a continuous top. This adjustable section I is carried by a support 8 which is hinged or pivoted at 9 to the table bed or frame 4. It will be noted that the pivots of the hinges H) are positioned adjacent to but in spaced relation to the front edge of the support 8. The top section 1 is pivoted to the rear edge of the support 8, the pivots being preferably the pintles of the hinges H, see Figs. 2 and 3. The panel 1 is designed to rest upon the support 8 and is tiltably adjusted therewith on hinges Ill as shown in Fig. 2 or it may be tilted on its pivot ll relative to the support in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. The panel in the structure illustrated is provided with a mirror l2 on its under side.

The means for adjusting and adjustably supporting the panel I comprise the adjusting rod or shaft l3 which is rotatably and slidably carried by the brackets I4 and I5 secured to the under side of the adjustable support member.

. movement of the rod it is provided with a collarlike stop 2| which coacts withthe bracket [5. A pair of links 22 are pivotally mounted at 23 on a longitudinal bar 24 carried by the frame and at 25 on the journals or pivots carried by the sleeve. The links are curved or conformed to clear the bar 24. A coupling 26 is swiveled on the rear end of the rod and is connected by the link 21 to the rear edge of the panel 1.

With the parts thus arranged, assuming that the parts are in normal position, that is, that the adjustable panel support is in lowered position as shown in Fig. 1, rotationof the rod in counterclockwise direction causes nut member l8 to travel forwardly on red l3 and tilts the support and the panel carried thereby forwardly on pivot 9, the thrust of the rod being sustained by the stop or thrust member 2| so that the sleeve or nut member is moved forwardly on the, rod and, consequently, the links 22 swung rearwardly, resulting in the tilting of the top'section. It is effectively held in its tilted or adjusted position without locking means other than the nut or thread or worm engagement. In the event it is desired to tilt the section I on its rear pivots H, assuming the parts to be in their normal position, the rod is rotated in clockwise direction and the nut member l8 held in a relatively fixed position by the links. The rod is moved in the nut member with the result that a tilting pull is imparted to the panel to swing it upwardly through the swivel and link connection described. The same result is accomplished by the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 in which the section I is provided with a segmental rack 28 coacting with an annular rack 29 on the rear end of the rod [3.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the swivel member 39 to which a link 2'! is secured is provided with a longitudinal bore 3! receiving the reduced section 32 on the rod 13, this reduced section having an annular groove 33 which is engaged by the retaining pin 34 permitting the swivel or rotating movement of the rod within the member 39.

In all of these embodiments the manipulation is entirely from the hand wheel i6 which is so positioned as to be conveniently manipulated by the patient or user, and the parts are held in whatever their position of adjustment may be until further manipulation of the hand wheel. This minimizes the possibility of the patient or user being injured and also provides an adjusting means which is quite easy to manipulate.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain other embodiments or adaptations of my invention which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame, of an adjustable top section support. hinged to said frame adjacent butin spaced relation to its front edge, an adjustable top section hinged to said support adjacent but in spaced relation to the rear edge of said top section, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatably and slidably mounted on said support transversely thereof and provided with a hand wheel at its front end, a thread engaging sleeve on said rod actuable lengthwise thereof by rotation of the rod in one direction, a link pivotally connected to said sleeve and to said frame, stop means limiting the rearward movement of said rod, said link transmitting thrust to'saidsleeve and rod and thereby pivoting said support on its hinge as the sleeve travels lengthwise on said rod with the latter restrained from rearward movement by said stop means, and an actuating member pivotally connected to the rear edge of said adjustable top section outside the hinge connection thereof to said support and having swiveled connection to said rod for pivoting said section on its hinge to the support, said link preventing forward movement of said sleeve when the support is in normal depressed position whereby rotation of the rod oppositely of said first named direction causes the same to travel lengthwise and operatively actuate said actuating member.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame, of an adjustable top section support hinged to said frame adjacent but in spaced relation to its front edge, an ad- 7 justable top section hinged to said support adjacent but in spaced relation to the rear edge of said top section, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatably and slidably mounted on said support transversely thereof and provided with a hand wheel at its front end, a thread engaging sleeve on said rod actuable lengthwise thereof by rotation of the rod in one direction, a link pivotally connected to said sleeve and to said frame, s-top means limiting the rearward movement of said rod, said link transmitting thrust to said sleeve and rod and thereby pivoting said support on its hinge as the sleeve travels lengthwise on said rod with the latter restrained from rearward movement by said stop means, and means connecting the rear end of said rod to said adjustable top section for pivoting said section on its hinge to the support, said link preventing forward movement of the sleeve when the support is in normal depressed position whereby rotation of the rod oppositely of said first named direction causes the rod to travel lengthwise and operatively actuate said last named means.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame of an adjustable top section support hinged to said frame, an adjustable top section hinged to said support, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatably and slidably mounted on said support, a thread engaging sleeve on said rod actuable lengthwise thereof by rotation of the rod in one direction, a link pivotally connected to said sleeve and to said frame, stop means limiting the rearward movement of said rod, said link transmitting thrust to said sleeve and rod and thereby pivoting said support on its hinge as the sleeve travels lengthwise on said rod with the latter restrained from rearward movement by said stop means, and means connecting the rear end of said rod to said adjustable top section for pivoting said section on its hinge to the support, said link preventing forward movement of the sleeve when the support is in normal depressed position whereby rotation of the rod oppositely of said first named direction causes the rod to travel lengthwise and operatively actuate said last named means.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame, of an adjustable support pivotally mounted to permit adjustment to a forwardly inclined position, a panel pivotally connected to the rear edge of said support, the pivots being arranged in spaced relation to rear edge of the panel, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatably and slidably mounted on said support, an adjusting nut member on said rod actuable lengthwise by rotation of the rod in one direction, a link pivoted to said nut member and to said frame, stop means limiting the rearward movement of said rod, said link transmitting thrust to said nut member and rod and thereby pivoting said support on its hinge as the nut member travels lengthwise on the rod with the latter restrained from rearward movement by said stop means, and operating connections for said rod to the rear edge of said panel for pivoting said panel about its hinge to the support, said link preventing longitudinal travel of the nut member on the rod when the latter is rotated oppositely of the said first named direction to thereby slide the rod longitudinally on the support and actuate said connections.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame, of an adjustable support pivotally mounted to permit adjustment to a forwardly inclined position, a panel pivotally connected to the rear edge of said support, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatably and slidably mounted on said support, an adjusting nut member on said rod actuable lengthwise thereof by rotation of the rod in one direction, a link pivoted to said nut member and to said frame, stop means limiting the rearward movement of said rod, said link transmitting thrust to said nut member and rod and thereby pivoting said support on its hinge as the nut member travels lengthwise on the rod with the latter restrained from rearward movement by said stop means, and operating connections for said rod to the rear edge of said panel for pivoting said panel about its hinge to the support, said link preventing longitudinal travel of the nut member on the rod when the latter is rotated oppositely of the said first named direction to thereby slide the rod longitudinally on the support and actuate said connections.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame, of an adjustable support pivotally mounted to permit adjustment to a forwardly inclined position, a top section hinged at its rear to said support, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatably and slidably mounted on said support, an adjusting nut member on said rod having link connection to said frame and actuable longitudinally of the 2;

rod upon rotation thereof in one direction to elevate the said support about its hinge through said link connection, stop means limiting the longitudinal movement of said rod and enabling transmission of pivoting thrust through the nut member and rod to the support, a segmental rack on said top section adjacent its pivot, said rod being provided with an annular rack coacting with the segmental rack, said link preventing longitudinal movement of the nut member when the rod is rotated oppositely of said first named direction whereby to shift the rod longitudinally and operatively actuate said coacting racks to rotate said top section on its pivot.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a support pivotally mounted on said frame to permit tilting adjustment, a top panel pivotally mounted on said support, a threaded adjusting rod carried on said support for pivotal movement therewith, said rod being rotatively and slidably mounted on said support, means limiting the longitudinal movement of said rod, a nut member on said rod having link connection to said frame and actuable longitudinally of the rod upon rotation thereof in one direction to elevate the said support about its hinge through said link connection, rotation of said rod in one angular direction causing said nut member to travel longitudinally of the rod by reason of the limited longitudinal movement of the latter to thereby transmit pivoting thrust to said support through said link connection to the frame, and operating connections for said rod to said top panel adjacent the plane of its pivot, said nut member being limited in its longitudinal movement in a direction opposite to its support pivoting movement whereby rotation of the rod in a direction opposite to said first named angular movement causes the rod to slide longitudinally on the support and thereby actuate said operating connections from the rod to the top panel and swing the same about its pivot to the support.

8. In a table structure of the class described, an adjustable table support member pivotally connected to the frame at one side of the support member, an adjustable table top member hingedly connected to said support member at the side of the latter opposite that on which it is hingedly connected to the frame whereby said support member and top member are adapted to be adjustably pivoted in opposite angular directions, an element rotatablyand axially slidably mounted on the support member and adjustable in either rotative direction, stop means engageable with said element for limiting said axial movement in one direction, a further element pivotally connected to said frame and operatively connected with said first named element, said elements having coacting engaged means thereon operative upon rotation of the first named element in one direction and engagement thereof with said stop means to pivotally shift said elements and the support member on which said first named element is mounted in an angular direction about the pivot point of the support member, said coacting means shifting said first named element axially when the latter is rotated in the opposite direction, and means connecting said first named element with the top member to pivot the latter upon axial movement of said first named element.

FREEMAN R. STEARNS. 

